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In 2005, my husband died. It was unexpected and it was devastating to me. Many well-meaning people shared scripture that were meant to be comforting. But, at the time, I didn’t find much comfort or even any semblance of truth in many of the verses shared.

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,” Joel 2:25a

“then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you.” Deuteronomy 30:3

“God blessed Job’s later life even more than his earlier life. He ended up with fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand teams of oxen, and one thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters.” Job 42:12-13

I didn’t understand how some unknown thing in the future would ever replace what I had lost when my husband died. How could the years we lost together be restored? My husband was dead. Nothing could ever replace him in my heart. Nothing new would replace what I had lost. I couldn’t accept that any of these promises was meant for me, personally. I was in pain. I grieved the loss of my life as I knew it and as I had dreamed that it would be.

But now, I see. I have a new marriage and with it a new extended family. My new husband is not a replacement for the one I lost. I will always grieve that death in some way. One doesn’t love completely and then forget that relationship. But, this new marriage has taught me that I can love again, that my life did not end. I have been given a chance to experience a deeply passionate love, once again.

This marriage is different from the one I began in my twenties. This marriage is founded on a long-standing friendship and maturity that I lacked 30 years ago. I can love more completely because I understand the fragility of life and relationships. I have learned to give all now, because I do not know what tomorrow holds in this life. I try not to miss a chance to say “I Love you” for I have determined to never again regret words not spoken. I cherish the quiet breaks, the silly moments, the busy times and even the heated, uncomfortable times; for they represent all the things that form a lasting and loving relationship. I vow to speak positively about my husband and to honor him in my words and actions. I am aware how important it is for my all of my children (both through birth and marriage) to have a model of stability to use as a pattern in their own lives.

This marriage of almost 3 years will never replace the 18 years of my first marriage. This marriage is new. This marriage is a blessing of restoration and joy. I can truly say the God has blessed my later life even more than my earlier life. He has restored my joy.

“You’ve kept track of my every toss and turnthrough the sleepless nights,Each tear entered in your ledger,each ache written in your book.

God, you did everything you promised,and I’m thanking you with all my heart.You pulled me from the brink of death,my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.Now I stroll at leisure with Godin the sunlit fields of life.”

Charlie Brown was known for saying “Good grief!” when he was frustrated. There a very few of us that would consider grief “Good”. But, I’ve learned that grief is a gift.

My first months after my husband’s death were dark. I remember functioning on some level. The pain of grief was numbing. The colors weren’t there. The sun seemed to have disappeared. I felt as if I was trying to swim through mud: exhausted but getting no where. I spent hours in the darkness of night walking in circles and asking God “WHY?”

Many people would tell me I should be happy that my husband was with God. When the tears would start, they would try to make things better, to encourage me to be strong. I had read 1 Thessalonians 4:13 many times:

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV

Unfortunately, I took this verse to mean that I should not grieve. I felt guilty for grieving. I tried to hide my pain. I struggled with my faith. Was I just not strong enough?

I was blessed to have friends that understood grief. They walked beside me. They allowed my grief to bubble over into their lives. They didn’t try to “fix”me. They just stood with me. They allowed me to learn what a gift grief can be.

Most of us try to avoid pain, to avoid grief. We don’t talk about death. Too often children aren’t exposed to the sorrow of death and funerals. We “protect” them from seeing our own grief. And they are not prepared for tragedy when it occurs.

But death is a reality. Sometimes it comes too early and the questions keep coming. I found myself pointing out people that I didn’t think deserved to be living and asking God why he took my husband and left them. I screamed and begged to have him back or to be taken to be with him.

But one day, I realized that Terry’s death was his reward. He was exactly where he wanted to be. He wasn’t missing a thing. I was grieving for what I had lost. And that was ok. I didn’t have to feel guilty or hide it. I missed my husband. My kids missed their dad and the tears were a symbol of our love for him. I had a new understanding of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14:

“And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 MSG

When one loses a great love, grief is the result. It’s our last connection to that loved one. The grief will not always bring tears. The grief will not always be paralyzing. Grief will not remain acute. As you move through the process, it becomes chronic: enduring and sometimes recurring. You come to accept the dance with grief. It is bittersweet. A gift of love and memories.

It’s December. Thanksgiving is over and now the countdown to Christmas is ticking away. I remember the excitement I had as a child as we removed the candy from the Snowman handing my Mother has made. Everyday, one of us would untie and remove whatever sweet was attached and then count how many were left until Christmas. Of course, I was counting the days until Santa arrived.

When I was older and on my own in Houston for the first time, I looked forward to the Christmas holidays because I got to go “home” for a few days. And, I was excited about the gifts I have picked out and purchased for my family with my own money. There were Christmas parties and decorations all around. I attended my first singing Christmas tree performance. There was so much to enjoy and behold.

After I was first married, my husband and I had to figure out our own traditions. We did Christmas stockings for each other. And as we had our children, we got to watch their excitement. My most memorable Christmas was probably when Terry played Santa at on of the local malls. He so enjoyed visiting with the children and surprising a few of the adults when he called them by name, too. Our children were excited by the lights and the hoopla, the Christmas programs and the fun. They took part in searching for the perfect Santa ornament or figure to add to their Dad’s collection. I watched as they struggled to keep the secret of what was in the package they had picked out just for me. It was a wonderful time.

Then, death took a huge toll on my holiday excitement. That Christmas in 2005, I picked out the perfect Santa figure, Santa kneeling at the Manger, and placed it on my husband’s grave site. There was no headstone. Just a metal marker and a Christmas wreath my mother had placed there. I struggled just to make it through the holidays that year. I wanted my kids to have moments of joy and to forget their sorrow for a bit. We all tried so hard to just do the normal stuff. But, there was no more normal for us.

Through the years, we struggled to find our new footing with the holidays. We put up a tree that was as opposite from traditional as possible: white with colored lights & purple boas instead of tinsel; orange, pink, lime green and purple ornaments with a large selection of flamingos included. I would search out the best place to eat out and that would be our Christmas meal. We spend time with family in Houston and also with my parents in Crowell. We fell into a rhythm.

I still struggle with the holidays. Emotionally, it’s still hard. Now, thankfully, we are part of a blended family. And while I love it, trying to blend family traditions can be daunting. Our kids have their own families and in-laws to see over the holidays. There are grand-parents that would love a visit. The sweets and goodies that are expected for holidays are different. Gift giving is a big area of stress in any family. How much do you spend? What should you give? Should we just draw names to make it easier? Do we open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Materialism can and does get in the way of so much during the holidays. I’ve been told over and over that if I keep the reason for Christmas in focus, the other stuff won’t matter so much. And while I agree with the reasoning, I don’t always see that it works to remove all of the stresses that come with the holidays. I really try to focus on the gift of Jesus Christ during the Christmas season. And I have real peace and joy about that gift. Unfortunately, that doesn’t remove family tension or sorrow completely. There are people all around us that need to FEEL the loving embrace that represents the Christmas season.

So, I continue to wrestle with my emotions during this holiday season. I wrestle because I want “Peace on Earth” to be a reality, yet even our own family struggles to keep peace at times. I struggle to make each person feel special and loved and content throughout the holidays. I tussle with my personal desire to be the perfect wife, mom, step-mom, daughter and grandmother and failing at it over and over. I strive to provide a safe and inviting haven for the Holidays to anyone that would need a place. I grapple with my inclination to shut myself off from everything and everyone until after the first of the new year.

This is a time of year that can be extremely difficult for many. Take the time to look around and notice those around you, not just the business of the season. Notice the widow that is without a spouse to share the joys and who wants to participate in the festivities but just doesn’t know how to do it alone. Notice the single parent struggling to provide just the bare necessities for the family during the holidays. Notice that single person that has no family around and sees another lonely holiday as just another day. The first Christmas I spent as a widow, there was always a place saved at church functions for me at a table with some other widowed ladies. They were older than me, but they “got it.” They understood and reached out to me in a way that I so desperately needed. Now is the time to reach out and show the love of Christmas to others.

Little Baby in the manger, I love you,Lying there, to earth a stranger, I love you;Wise men saw the star and answered, I love you,Shepherds heard the angels saying, I love you.

November 2005 was an awful time for my family. In an instant I lost my husband. My children lost their dad. I had no idea what it would be like to grow up without a dad there to give advice and encouragement. I had my dad well into my fifties. As I took on the unwanted role of single mom, I wondered how life without Terry would effect Zac and Gracie.

There were lots of offers in the beginning, “If Zac needs a male figure just call me” or “We are here to fill the void”. But, when those times arose, no one seemed to be available. It was “too awkward” or “there’s just not enough time.” But, God provides. The coaches and staff at Mayde Creek High really stepped up to the plate. I saw men just care about my kids. In time, Zac married a wonderful young woman and has a great father-in-law. He’s become a great dad himself. We’ve shed tears on all of his big days as we’ve missed his dad.

Two years ago, I remarried. It was a hard adjustment for Gracie. She had been her daddy’s little princess and had worked with him on lots of sets for children’s church and VBS. Then, it had been just “the two of us” for so long. Chris Dittert was always there to give my daughter a “daddy” hug on Fathers Day or any day she just needed it. And there were others that tried to be there, but we had developed our own rhythm. Tim was not a welcome change in her view.

As time has passed, the two of them have developed an interesting relationship. Gracie has learned to lay floors, build cabinets, run electrical wire and install windows. Although she is quick to say “we were just fine before you came along”, she has accepted and (I believe) loves her step figure in her own way. It does my mom’s heart good to see her talking and working with Tim. They share common memories of Terry as well as looking toward the future.

Both of my kids miss Terry. He was and will always be a big part of their lives. God has provided wonderful memories of the past. And he continues to provide for our family today and for the future.

Grief is not a “gift” one wants. Grief is forced upon you. It doesn’t give you a choice. It’s presence can be over-powering and suffocating. You move through grief , taking life’s lessons as you go. It’s not pleasant to endure. As I look back, I’m grateful for many of the gifts I received along this journey.

The more you love, the greater the grief. On days when grief seemed impossible to endure, I remembered the great love that I had experienced. And I realized that I wouldn’t have given up a single moment of that love to lessen the grief I was feeling.

Seize the moment. You never know when death will come. We are only promised this moment. Don’t wait to tell someone how much you love them. Never miss a chance to give a hug or smile. You may not get another opportunity.

Show your appreciation. It wasn’t until after my husband died that truly realized how important he was to my life on a daily basis. He prepared paid the bills, shopped for groceries, ran errands, drove me to and from work, held my hand, and listened to me talk. I lost so much the day he died. I wish I had thanked him more.

Recognize the gift you have. I was as guilty as anyone of complaining about my husband’s faults: he snored; he was a dreamer; he procrastinated. After he was gone, I would have done anything to have one more night laying awake listening to his snoring.

Cherish those you love. Stop complaining about things that won’t matter in the long run. Be grateful for the time you have now. It’s not a competition on who does the most around the house. Who took out the trash last won’t matter in the long run. Decide to say only positive things about your spouse or family members to others. It will change the way you think about the ones you love.

Never miss an opportunity to show love. Some might think I say “I love you” too much. But, I promised that I would never miss an opportunity to say those words again.

Relationships that withstand grief will be unbreakable. My children and I had to learn to be a family of three. We are probably closer than we would have been had their father lived. We spent lots of time together just trying to survive. Many people don’t understand the bond that we have. They don’t understand the reaction my kids have when they hear friends criticizing their own parents. Others are not prepared for the defenses that come into play when any one of our family is “attacked” verbally or otherwise. Our interdependence was formed through our grief. As our family has grown, the defenses have spread out to in-laws and step-family.

When it comes to loving my family and friends, treating every moment as if it may be our last is the greatest gift I received from Grief. I never miss a chance to let my husband know how much I love and appreciate him. I want all of my kids to know they are precious and loved. I hold more tightly to those that I love because I’ve learned the value of that love.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NIV

Being still is hard. Sometimes, it feels impossible. It’s especially difficult for me when anxiety is running wild. We all have moments of anxiety. But for some, anxiety is ever-present. It’s often linked to depression. And, it can be exhausting.

Have you ever had so much caffeine that you can’t seem to put a thought together and just felt jittery? That’s what anxiety felt like to me. Anxiety is defined as stress that’s out of proportion to the impact of the event, the inability to set aside a worry, and restlessness. When I feel that things are getting out of my control, I can get extremely restless and fidgety. My thoughts are not always logical. Everything around me can feel irritating. I have a need to “fix it” or “hide from it”.

My first husband’s death sent me into a tailspin with grief. I didn’t know how I was going to manage. I didn’t want to manage alone. The fears were so strong and so deep that just deciding what to wear in the morning was almost too big of a decision. I wanted to know where my kids were at every moment. I had nightmares, so I didn’t sleep much. I spent hours just walking in circles around the living room in the middle of the night. As the months and then years passed, I believed that I was getting over it all. But, the reality was: I had just gotten used to coping with the anxiety and depression. I could put on a good face for friends, family and co-workers. I scheduled as much into my week as I could. I worked full-time. I volunteered with my church. I volunteered for activities at the school my kids attended. I stayed as busy as I could. My kids grew up and life slowed down.

I found comfort in concentrating on anything. Most people would call it obsessing. Terry and I had dreamed of replacing our wedding dishes with depression glass. So, I set about doing just that on Ebay. I bought platonite place settings and serving dishes. I bought emerald-green depression glass. I found a particular glass goblet that I liked and bought a whole set in emerald-green and red as well as matching cocktail glasses. I collected peanut butter glasses with state flowers. I hunted for cottage cheese bowls (I had 5 different colors.) I bought leather purses. My kids would joke about all of the boxes I was getting. I collected flamingos for the yard and for the house. When I was looking for new things to buy, I didn’t have to face my life.

When both of my children left home, I had a more difficult time filling the time. I would cook a big elaborate meal once a week and my son would come and eat. But, the rest of the week, I would buy take out and eat in my driveway. On weekends when my daughter wasn’t coming home or I wasn’t going to see her, I would just stay in bed and watch TV and sleep. The only reason I would get up was to let the dogs out. I avoided the reality of my life as much as possible. Things that should have been important, just weren’t any more. I felt like my life was over and I was just waiting it out. I prayed and studied, but nothing seemed to make a dent in the numbness that had become so normal for me.

I had convinced myself that I was “just fine.” I had worked through all of my issues. As Tim and I began to talk about a future together, my very tightly wound ball began to come undone. Emotions and feelings that I had not allowed to surface for years were suddenly in full view. It was at that time, I sought the help of a counselor. It took a few tries to find a good fit, but it was worth it. I could sit and talk about my fears and doubts. I began to work on issues that had been around for way too long. I began to feel that I was gaining control; I was becoming a whole person again.

I was no longer afraid of being alone, of being still. I realized that I needed time alone to spend with my Bible and in prayer, writing or drawing. I had allowed grief to become self-doubt and fear. I stood by as the enemy had robbed me of the ability of “being still”. I had to learn, again, what peace comes with knowing God.

Stop the busyness. Look at what God has for you. Listen for His leading. Be still.

My daughter looks forward to the pancakes at Cracker Barrel. Really, she just looks forward to the edges of the pancakes; the crispy browned edges are her favorite. But, when it comes to orange rolls or brownies, it’s the soft inner pieces that are the best.

Grief gives life crispy edges. Edges that are delicate and break easily. Edges that call to you at times. I prefer to live in the warm, protected center of life. That’s where my family is the safest and the happiest. That is where I search for my value and my worth. But, there are times, that I must venture out to the edges and taste the bittersweetness that comes with memories. Fragile memories that still have the power to break my heart. Precious memories that fade a little with time, but still stir up so many emotions when unwrapped.

Today is a day for the edges. Thirty years ago on this day, I became Mrs. Terry Benson. We set out on the adventure of life together. I see people talk about marrying their best friend and can’t help but wonder how they define friendship. Terry was indeed my best friend. We did everything together. We had one car for most of our marriage, so he drove me to work each morning and picked me up each afternoon. He packed my lunch for me. When the time came, he was a stay at home dad for our kids. He never complained about me to my family. He was only complimentary. He didn’t call me rude names behind my back. He was always uplifting and protective of me. He loved my family and never criticized my relationship with them. Even when things were rough with his own family, he never said unkind or mean things about them. There were many times that we disagreed and fought. And we always came to an agreement and forgave. Our marriage was more important that either of us as individuals.

So for today, I venture out to the edges that are crisp and full of memories. Today, I will savor the memories of the love of my early life, the father of my children. I know that these memories don’t diminish the love I have now for Tim. My past has prepared me to love him even more deeply. The edges remind me how fragile life and love can be. I know that I want to protect the soft center where my life and love currently exist.

Sometimes crispy edges are what we need. And, sometimes its the soft center that we desire. Life is made up of both.